At what age do you think a kid can mow the lawn?

[shirleyb]

Here's the story -

My DBIL tore the meniscus in his knee, so he can't mow his yard. It's not a real big yard, so he has a push (gas) mower. He asked if one of my teenage sons could come over and mow, which of course I said sure.

They ended up not being able to mow because it rained the day they had available, so he paid a kid up the street to mow the grass.

Afterwards, I got to thinking, I wonder why his own son can't mow the grass. DNephew is a big 10 yo - probably 5'2, 130 lbs. I'm pretty sure my boys were mowing the grass at that age.

A guy at work said no way should a 10 yo mow the grass.

So, obviously not a big deal, but I'm just curious, would you let your 10 yo mow the grass?

 

[Christine]

Depending on the kid, yeah, I think 10 or 11. My son is 12, almost 13 and he would have been old enough now for a few years to mow. But we don't let him as his allergies are so bad. We had him do it one time and the skin on his arms swelled up so bad. But he was 11 when we tried it (and it was a gas mower). So I think 10 is good for a push mower.

Some people have problems envisioning their children being more grown up.

 

[disykat]

Other than taking an occasional pass while being supervised, I didn't allow my kids to mow until they were 12. I think that is the recommendation on the mower. We have a large lawn with hills.

If someone is big enough physically and mature enough, I don't really see an issue with handling an easy lawn. I would supervise though. I'm a big rule follower.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

My neighbor lets his 10 year old son (who is not big for his age) mow using a riding lawnmower. This is a child that has some hyperactivity and behavioral issues. I think it is really stupid. I'm afraid he will get hurt since their lawn is slopey. And they are not uneducated people, both have very good jobs. I think the boy just really wants to mow. He's always asking DH if he can mow our grass.

 

[MushyMushy]

It depends on the kid. My DS was too little to push a mower at 10 -- he was just too skinny and couldn't have handled it. My DD was big enough at 10, but she was such an airhead that I don't know if I would have trusted her.

That said, I really don't like younger kids using mowers and things like that. I've known adults to lose body parts to mowers, and I sure wouldn't want to be responsible for that happening to a child.

 

[DawnCt1]

Other than taking an occasional pass while being supervised, I didn't allow my kids to mow until they were 12. I think that is the recommendation on the mower. We have a large lawn with hills.

If someone is big enough physically and mature enough, I don't really see an issue with handling an easy lawn. I would supervise though. I'm a big rule follower.

I agree, particularly if there are hills. I slipped on a hill, on wet grass and severed my rotator cuff last year. I am well beyond the age of "needing" supervision but I am sure glad someone was home at the time. I would also insist that the mower have a blade brake. I think all newer mowers do. So when the handle is released, the blade stops. It is tempting for some people to clean out the shute while the blade is running. Another thing that is tempting to do on the side of a hill, is to put your foot out to the side to prevent the mower from slipping.

 

[chicagodisneyfan]

We had a 10 year old on our block cut off his big toe while mowing. It was pretty gruesome and could not be reattached.

In our neighborhood it seems to be the teenagers who use power mowers.... but I have seen younger kids use the non-power type.

 

[mommasita]

My husband purposely bought the old fashioned lawn mower, so my DS11 can safely mow..

That said, we don't have that much lawn, the pool takes most of the backyard, there is some in the front..

He started this year, but I would be VERY nervous with an electric mower and my son.

 

[legalsea]

My brother-in-law's house has a smallish yard, flat, etc. His son (age 10) wanted to earn a little money so, not willing to have the child pushing a gas mower (yet), he went to Wal-mart and bought an old-fashioned rotary blade mower. Very safe to use, and happens to give a very nice cut (much nicer than I would expect). It is also very, very quiet, so the son may cut early in the morning while it is still cool.

I'm thinking of buying one for my wife, although I have yet to ascertain her feelings on the matter.

 

[Tinks]

DH's cousin's son had a fire issue with a lawn mower around that age. I believe he was putting gas in the mower. Anyway, it was very scary and no, I won't let my 11 year old mow yet. I think the problem is it seems simple, but one mistake can really cost you.

 

[Keli]

I would let a 10 yr old do it if I were staying out in the yard with him/her to supervise but never alone. I would feel a lot more comfortable with 12 yrs old.

legalsea, best of luck with the wife and the manual mower! LOL

 

[kimmikayb]

My son has been mowing since he was 10. We do both, push and ride. Our riders are more like small tractors. It depends on what a kid can handle, if they've been around equipment before and know how to operate it safely. My kids grew up with farm machinery and are very capable of handling a lawn mower.

 

[helloirishkitty]

My parents never let me cut the lawn growing up...

My first time was cutting my own lawn, and it's probably my least favorite chore... heh

 

[Bob Slydell]

3

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I was cutting the lawn on a riding mower when I was 8. So was my friend that lived across the street - I have a picture of him and I on the mower together.

 

[Crankyshank]

I was 9 when I started.

 

[Hannathy]

According to my neighbors that age is 9. Their 9 yr old has been cutting the grass all summer by himself and we are talking push gas mower and a fairly big yard over 1/3 acre but not quite a half. What scares me most is he cuts it with his little brother 5 and friends in the yard and on the swingset as he is cutting around it. That's OK his parents are a paramedic and a police officer not like they would ever see the results of accidents.

I think 9 is a little young to do on his own. My 9 yr old will do a few rows with his Dad out there watching but he is very small (42 lbs) and it is a lot of work so his Dad probably has a couple more years of doing it!

 

[kimmikayb]

According to my neighbors that age is 9. Their 9 yr old has been cutting the grass all summer by himself and we are talking push gas mower and a fairly big yard over 1/3 acre but not quite a half. What scares me most is he cuts it with his little brother 5 and friends in the yard and on the swingset as he is cutting around it. That's OK his parents are a paramedic and a police officer not like they would ever see the results of accidents.

I think 9 is a little young to do on his own. My 9 yr old will do a few rows with his Dad out there watching but he is very small (42 lbs) and it is a lot of work so his Dad probably has a couple more years of doing it!

Yikes that is a little scary! One of our safety rules is no one is allowed in the yard when the mower is going.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Whenever they learn not to mow their toes off.

 

[shortbun]

12 or older. My neighbor allows his 8yo to mow on a steep incline. I go inside.